Kachemak Heritage Land Trust (KHLT) and Nancy Hillstrand on Dec. 13 signed papers to permanently protect her 302 acres near Bridge Creek for valuable wildlife habitat, open space, and water quality close to the city of Homer, KHLT announced in a press release last Friday. The name of protected area is the Let Nature Sing Wilderness Preserve.

“Thank you, Mother Nature,” Hillstrand said of the property.

The Bridge Creek Reservoir is important moose and bear habitat, as well as being highly valuable to the city as the sole water supply for the surrounding area. Bridge Creek also is a tributary of the Anchor River, meaning that it contributes directly to healthy salmon, Dolly Varden, and steelhead habitat.

“Protection of this land in the Bridge Creek Watershed ensures that groundwater and streams have a clean and healthy environment through which to filter before entering the Reservoir,” KHLT said in the press release. “Keeping this piece of land in a virtually pristine condition directly benefits the entire ecosystem, from Homer residents to baby salmon in the Anchor River.”

KHLT collaborated with the Homer City Council to acquire stewardship funds from the City’s Water Reserves in order to maintain the valuable characteristics of this property forever.